Method and Apparatus for Residential Water Recycling

Abstract

A wastewater recycling system includes a biological reactor having anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic chambers. A lift station including a pump is operatively connected to the biological reactor. The lift station receives biologically treated liquid from the biological reactor and pumps the liquid from the lift station. A filtration subsystem is operatively connected to the lift station. The filtration subsystem receives and filters the liquid pumped by the lift station. The filtration subsystem includes a salt-rejecting membrane filter comprising a concentrate recirculation conduit operatively connected to recirculate salt-rejecting membrane filter concentrate to a point along the wastewater recycling system upstream of the salt-rejecting membrane filter, thereby forming a salt concentration loop between said point along the wastewater recycling system and the salt-rejecting membrane filter. A post-filtration subsystem is operatively connected to receive salt-rejecting membrane filter permeate, and comprises a water disinfection system that disinfects the permeate thereby generating potable water.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to wastewater treatment, and more particularly to systems and methods for treating and recycling wastewater to generate potable water.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]It is known to treat wastewater and to generate potable water from wastewater. However, conventional systems often use excessive amounts of chemicals to operate properly and conventional systems often generate large volumes of waste. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,101 discloses a system that uses deionization as a principal purification technology. This system generates a concentrated waste stream that requires neutralization and disposal. Strong, corrosive chemicals are required to regenerate the deionization system, and unrecycled waste streams would have to be made up by another source (e.g., a municipal water supply). It would be desirable to provide a wastewater recycling system that is capable of treating and r...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a wastewater recycling system that generates potable water from wastewater with minimal water loss. The system includes a biological reactor with an anaerobic chamber, an oxic chamber, and an aerobic chamber. A lift station receives the treated liquid from the biological reactor and pumps it to a filtration subsystem. The filtration subsystem includes a preliminary membrane filter, a salt-rejecting membrane filter, and a water disinfection system. The system also includes a post-filtration subsystem with an advanced oxidation system. The technical effects of the patent text are that the system can recycle wastewater with minimal water loss and produce potable water through a biological treatment process.

Problems solved by technology

However, conventional systems often use excessive amounts of chemicals to operate properly and conventional systems often generate large volumes of waste.

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